Here's an alternative thought based on some evidence.
According to Roaman writings, an earlier emperor (It could have been Claudius), issued a freedom of religion decree, providing that people of non-pagen faiths don't play missionary. If they do, then the gloves come off (forced armed service, servitude, or jail time, IIRC). The Jews looked at it as "they are stopping us from learning Torah" when in actually they could learn in private, but not to force it on others in the public manner. Some authorities were tougher than others. Some ignored the decree and let them do what they wanted, and some were overly heavy handed. (A famous story of Rabbi Chaninah ben Teradyon who was found teaching in a public area, and was burned to death. His friend, Rabbi Kisma warned him that he should obey the Roman laws, but he didn't. This was around 130CE).
Is it possible that this was a similar experience with the Christians who wanted to "share the gospels", and so, they felt persecuted for what they felt was perfectly valid, but got punished (how hard depended on the officer in charge) for it? And perhaps it was not so much on a mass scale as believed, but that there were isolated cases?
Just some ideas.
According to Roaman writings, an earlier emperor (It could have been Claudius), issued a freedom of religion decree, providing that people of non-pagen faiths don't play missionary. If they do, then the gloves come off (forced armed service, servitude, or jail time, IIRC). The Jews looked at it as "they are stopping us from learning Torah" when in actually they could learn in private, but not to force it on others in the public manner. Some authorities were tougher than others. Some ignored the decree and let them do what they wanted, and some were overly heavy handed. (A famous story of Rabbi Chaninah ben Teradyon who was found teaching in a public area, and was burned to death. His friend, Rabbi Kisma warned him that he should obey the Roman laws, but he didn't. This was around 130CE).
Is it possible that this was a similar experience with the Christians who wanted to "share the gospels", and so, they felt persecuted for what they felt was perfectly valid, but got punished (how hard depended on the officer in charge) for it? And perhaps it was not so much on a mass scale as believed, but that there were isolated cases?
Just some ideas.
“I've done everything the Bible says — even the stuff that contradicts the other stuff!"— Ned Flanders
